Dental health is essential to your dog’s or cat’s overall health. Are you aware of the indications of periodontal disease in pets? If this problem is not identified and treated soon, it can lead to more serious health issues like kidney, liver, and heart function. Understanding the causes of dental problems and recognizing periodontal disease indicators in your pet is crucial.
When do dental issues start in pets?
Dental problems in pets occur when plaque hardens into tartar. While tartar may be seen and cleansed above the gum line, plaque below the gum line is harmful and can lead to infection and jawbone damage. Your veterinarian should evaluate your pet’s teeth at least once a year during a cat or dog physical checkup to discover early signs of a problem and maintain your pet’s mouth healthy.
Promoting Your Pets Oral Health
The methods listed below can help your pet’s oral health. Consult your veterinarian about the best dental health plan for your cat or dog based on your lifestyle.
Professional Cleaning
The American Animal Hospital Association states that your dog or cat should begin professional teeth cleaning at one or two years, depending on size (AAHA). Your pet will be sedated during dog or cat teeth Cleaning so that each tooth, particularly those beneath the gum line, can be given the attention and the proper care it deserves.
Home Care
At-home dental care routine for your pet is essential for tooth maintenance. Veterinary doctors recommend that pet owners brush their pets’ teeth regularly and, if possible, several times each week. This will help remove most plaque before it mineralizes and becomes tartar.
You can prepare your pet’s teeth with a dental wipe or gauze pad before brushing them to make it feel more at ease using a toothbrush. While most dogs tolerate brushing, cats can be more obstinate. Remember that regular cleanings will make your pet feel more at ease.
Dental Treats
Certain pet food and treat products and professional cleanings, and an at-home care routine improve oral health in cats and dogs. Certain snacks and pet foods can help your pet’s breath, while others may have a crunchy texture that helps with tooth cleaning and tartar reduction.
When pet food manufacturers make a dental claim on the label, they will also describe how the benefit is achieved (e.g., “with ridges to scrape teeth” or “with peppermint to help freshen breath.”) These claim standards are included in the model regulations for pet food developed by the Association of American Feed Control Officials. While at the veterinarian, inquire about additional services such as pet post-operative care to learn about other ways to make your pet’s life more comfortable.
The Takeaway
While many pet owners feel that proper pet dental hygiene is all about avoiding the morning odor of doggy breath, regular pet dental hygiene benefits go far beyond fresher smelling puppy kisses. Indeed, it may have a substantial impact on your pet’s general health. Dogs and cats have been tamed to such an extent that the natural instruments they used to keep their teeth clean and flossed have all but vanished. Pet owners are now in charge of supplying this demand. In some cases, the needs may outnumber your ability to give care.
